Footprint

A while back, an eco-friendly cyclist friend of mine asked me what the size of my footprint was. Being a guy, I immediately thought of the old saying, "men with big feet have...", and was prepared to extol how large my footprint is. But then, seeing as my cyclist friend is a guy, that would have just been way too creepy, so I asked him what he was talking about.

He was, of course, asking about my Ecological Footprint, or how much demand I am putting on the Earth's resources. Surprisingly, the answer is still, quite large.

I am fully aware of the global crisis that we are facing. I have seen Al Gore's movie in it's entirety, as well as several of his other shorter presentations. For those looking to get up to speed, Molly has a great abridged Al Gore piece posted here. I have read some of the scientific reports that document the dramatic shifts in the ice caps, CO levels, and climate, and I whole heartedly believe we are in a world of trouble. But, I could still fit a Prius and a half in the back of the SUV I drive everyday. And I am typing this as I sit under the glow of my conventional 60-watt light bulb.

I am a cyclist. I LOVE bikes. I love to ride. I love the exercise. I love the feeling of accomplishment after I complete a ride. But, I only use my bicycles for exercise and sport. I don't ride to work, to the store, to visit friends. For those trips, I drive. With my big ole' 5.4liter, gas guzzling footprint.

So why am I telling you all of this? Why am I risking having my name added to the black list of Earth haters? I guess for that very point. Why? Why am I in the majority? Why aren't all of us doing more? If someone as addicted to cycling as I am can't get out from behind the wheel of my car, what are the odds that all of the other Americans who have that dusty old Schwinn just hanging in their garage, are going to turn off their motors? If, I can recognize the crisis, why can I not make a conscious choice to act?

Is it convenience? Is it the thought that one man, with one light bulb, cannot possibly make the difference? Is it money? Cause, c'mon, going green does not come cheap....

Not sure. But I am thinking about it. And that is a start. Are you thinking about it? What size is your footprint? Get out and ride that old bike and feel good.

Here's a great song and great video to give you some thought inspiration.